Sport

West Ham United youth prospect joins Billericay Town

BILLERICAY Town have snapped up former-West Ham United prospect Frazer Shaw.

Shaw, 19, has joined up with Craig Edwards at New Lodge after being released by the Hammers at the end of last season.

Shaw was a regular in the under-21 set-up at West Ham, where he made 13 appearances in the under-21 league last season, and was regarded highly by the club.

He was promoted to the under-21s after impressing at under-18 level, having been released by Arsenal aged 14, and at the start of 2013 was targeting a spot in Sam Allardyce’s first XI.

But he will now link up with Billericay, and has already made an impression, creating a goal in their 2-2 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge last week.

And Edwards is excited about the latest addition to his squad.

“He is a very good player and comes highly recommended. He was excellent against Dagenham but didn’t play on Tuesday as he was carrying a slight injury. He will be fit for the weekend.

“He fits in very well with how we play and offers a lot from wide positions. We look forward to his contribution this season.”

The teenager can play in central midfield, or on the left wing and it was rumoured he was being scouted by Southend United, MK Dons, Luton Town and Leyton Orient at the start of the year.

Edwards said his side are now ready for their opening match on Saturday against Grays Athletic, after playing their last game of pre-season against Charlton Athletic, described by Edwards as “the toughest we have faced”.

Billericay started well and took the lead through Glenn Poole, who converted after a Ricky Sappleton shot was pushed into his path by the Londoners’ keeper. Charlton equalised before Sappleton won and converted a penalty.

However, Charlton dominated the second period and ran out 3-2 winners.

“They were an excellent side,” said Edwards. “We don’t usually play matches the week the season starts but this has worked well for us. I said to the lads ‘this is a much better work out than you would have got in training’.

“We are ready for the season now. The players will rest up over the next few days and we look forward to the visit of Grays.”